They aren't walking long before the road becomes almost completely submerged. Large bodies of water cover most of the landscape with small paths interlacing the pools, many of them dropping away suddenly or leading to dead ends.

" 'Think there's any crocs in there?"

"Crocs, My Love?"

"Yeah, crocs."

The prince's puzzled gaze doesn't change.

"Crocs. Crocodiles! Like Alligators?"

The prince stares blankly at Steve.

"Giant lizards w'th long jaws fill'd w'th teeth?"

"There are all manner of fearsome beasts lurking within these waters. Just 5 seasons ago I faced a dreaded aqua-drake. It was only pure chance, and my unending courage that-"

Steve turns to Charlie.

"Okay Champ, we're gonna need t' get through here right quick. We'll stick t' th' road as much's poss'ble an' try t' stay outta th' wat'r. You giv'us a shout if ya see som'thin'."

Charlie follows close behind Steve as they walk single file along the remaining roadway.

"Precious Heart, you shouldn't go that way!"

The prince tries to get to Steve, but can't get past Charlie's bulk without going into the water.

"Please My Dearest, the perils increase with every step you take upon this wretched path."

"Look Ma- uh, Bud, th' quickest way b'tween two places is a straight line, right? Well this is th' straightest line we got, so..."

Steve turns back to the path he's started down.

"But Princess, no sane man would follow that path! The lack of trees eliminate any means of escape from water dwellers, and those branches that do overhang may well conceal any number of carnivorous horrors! We already know shadow-cats stalk these woods."

"Objection noted. Now shake a tail feather."

As they start down the narrow trail, Charlie comes up close behind Steve and lets out a small worried whinny.

"Yeah, I know Champ. I don't like it either, but I don't think those little paths're all that stable. Floatin' branches an' shit. 'Doubt they'd take ya weight."

Charlie nudges his shoulder.

"We'll keep our eyes peeled f'r crocs, an' jus' go as fast's we can."

They cautiously pick up the pace. The remaining roadway is less than a metre wide and murky water laps at the crumbling path. The prince follows behind Charlie, drawn sword clenched in both hands and held tight to his body. His eyes nervously track every sound and shadow.

"Keep up Princy. I wanna get t' ya castle some time t'morrow."

"That is truly an impossibility My Jewel. As I stated before this venture-"

Steve rolls his eyes and manages to further increase his speed. Charlie snorts and cocks his head.

"I figure if it's hard t' breathe, it's hard t' talk."

This time the prince is certain the horse laughed.

They continue down the dilapidated path accompanied only by the sounds of Charlies hooves on the uneven pebbles, and the prince's laboured breathing. Several times Steve has caught sight of something out of the corner of his eye. A quick turn reveals nothing but bubbles breaking the surface. Whatever is watching them is fast and stealthy.

The sun has long passed over head and the shadows are now getting longer. Through the small breaks in the canopy, Steve can see they only have a few hours of usable daylight left.

"Hey Princy, how far through this bog d'ya think we are?"

"It is...hard...to say...Dearheart."

Steve turns his head to conceal his smirk.

"Yeah, I'll bet."

There is no missing Charlie's snort of amusement.

"If ya had t' guesstimate...?"

"We are... likely...to be... half-way..."

The prince stops and bends forward, gulping air. Steve notes the bubble trail slowly inching closer.

"Well we'd bett'r getta wiggle on. I doubt there's anywhere t' camp, or any wood f'r a fire. It's not safe t' stay in one place 'round here, but we won't be able t' see where we're goin'."

"Perhaps... if I were to ride upon Charles...? Then you would not have to slow your stride for me."

"Well that's one way t' top yaself."

"I... Pardon?"

"If Charlie-Horse stumbles, or th' track gives out, ya'd both end up in th' drink. 'Don't know 'bout you, but I doubt that's a safe place f'r a dip."

"It fills me with sorrow, that I should be-"

"Def'nitly not gonna get outta here b'fore dark if we stand 'round gabbin'."

"My Love-"

"An' I don't think we wanna be here when whatev'r's makin' those bubbles reaches us."

Turning, the prince follows Steve's gesture. At the sight of the gently undulating water, his eyes widen in terror.

"AQUA-DRAKE!"

He tries to push past Charlie but finds him unyielding.

"Move you mangy beast!"

Charlie's eyes narrow and he turns his head away.

"Move I say, lest you feel the flat of my sword!"

The prince uses the pommel to strike Charlie on the rump. Steve steps forward to calm Charlie as he arches his neck, and lifts his head. A hiss from Charlie has him reevaluating this decision.The prince is looking over his shoulder at the approaching bubble trail. He doesn't see the calculating look on Charlie's face, nor the evil glint in the horse's eye. It is an unexpected, and unpleasant surprise when Charlie takes a careful and deliberate step back... right onto the prince's foot.

"AAAAGHHH!"

The prince screams and starts to hop on one foot- only to stop immediately as he almost topples into the brackish water.

"I would'a done that too Champ, but p'haps this wasn't th' best place."

At the prince's cry of pain, the bubbles have started advancing faster, and a second bubble stream has appeared on the opposite side of the path.

"You stupid nag!"

Even as he spits these words at Charlie, the prince grabs hold of his saddle, then pulls painfully at his mane as he uses it as a hand hold to edge past the horse.

"Move!"

He pushes past Steve and starts to run. Steve's arms flail as he starts to fall towards the dank water, only to stop short with a jerk. Charlie has grabbed the sleeve of Steve's dress and holds him suspended above the waters edge. A new challenge arises as they both become aware of Charlie's dilemma. The angle he has to maintain to keep Steve safe means he cannot lift him, but without turning his head, he cannot safely backup to pull him to safety. Realising this, Steve reaches back and blindly grasps at Charlie's bridle. He grabs hold of a leather strap, only to swing wildly as he finds himself holding the length of the reins, rather than the fixed and firmly buckled strap he had tried for.

Charlie lifts his head and rears up, pulling Steve upright and correcting his balance. Steve has has both feet firmly planted, but Charlie is now in distress as the edge of the path starts to crumble beneath him. As he slips sideways Steve grabs him around the neck. Charlie takes his weight off of the unsupported foot, and leans into Steve for balance.

The two of them cling to each other as they pant for breath, their hearts racing and their legs shaking after their close call.

"You 'right Champ?"

Charlie bumps his forehead against Steve's chest as he places a comforting arm around Charlie and ruffles his mane. Charlie heaves a sigh.

"Yeah. That scared the shit outta me too."

This peaceful little interlude is quickly cut short. The bubbling beast had paused as the dislodged rocks had disturbed the water surface. Now, as the ripples die away, the unknown source of terror is making it's way toward the road's edge.

" 'Think we should take th' opportunity t' get th' hell outta Dodge."

Peering over his flank, Charlie gives a snort and a nod. Continuing along the treacherous path, the two of them make their way towards the castle that is still more than a days walk away. The ominous bubbles continue to trail a matter of meters behind them. Whatever this creature is, it seems unwilling, or unable to climb the steep wall of sludge where the paths edge drops away. Steve knows this reprieve won't last long, as the water is shallower in places where the road widens. They've already passed several of these areas as they've travelled this path. It's only a matter of time before they reach another.

This whole episode has taken too much of their precious time. Without saying a word, Steve and Charlie start a slow jog; Steve being careful to keep to the middle of the trail, and Charlie placing his feet in Steve's footprints. Their heavy footfalls seem to excite the unseen creatures. Though they still keep pace, the intensity of their bubble trails increases, making it appear as though the water is boiling.

Steve and Charlie know they can't keep to this pace for long, but the thought of spending the night trying to navigate the swamp in the dark is enough to spur them on.

After an hour their steps have once again slowed to a fast walk. Steve presses a hand to his ribs, trying to alleviate the agony as a stitch burns through his side. Charlie's head hangs low. A lather of sweat covers his hide, and flecks of white foam gather at the corners of his mouth. They have had no food in more than 24 hours, and the saddle bags hold only one canteen, more than half empty to begin with as the prince had consumed most of the water within before secreting it at the bottom of the bag.

Thirst and exhaustion barely register for Steve as he focuses on his goal. Thoughts of his fill his head, and reaching the castle is his first step to getting home to them. It takes him a few moments to realise that Charlie is not faring so well. His gait has slowed to little more than a plod. The whites of his eyes are red as sweat drips into them. Blinking repeatedly he tries to alleviate the sting, but as dehydrated as he is, there's not enough moisture to really lubricate his burning eyes. Charlie is pushing himself as far as he can but exhaustion saps the last of his energy, causing his legs to shake with the effort required for each step.

"Geez CharlieHorse, you're in a bad way, aren't ya Champ? Maybe this'll help."

Slinging the saddle bags over his own shoulders, Steve shoves the saddle off of Charlies back. It makes a large splash as it hits the water. The aquatic predator that has been stalking them now makes it's move. It is on the saddle in seconds, The water churns as the beast below thrashes. Charlie and Steve look on in awe as scraps of leather appear on the surface.

" 'Don't know 'bout you Champ, but I'm fuckin' glad that wasn' me!"

Charlie paws at the ground, eager to leave this place behind. Without the saddle weighing him down, his steps are lighter, and his breath comes easier.

"Should'a thought o' that b'fore."

While not travelling as fast as Steve would like, Charlie has got his second wind. A quick glance behind them tells Steve that one of the water dwellers is still tracking them. There's no way to gauge how far they've come, but Steve is certain they are not going to escape the swamp before nightfall. He's just hoping the inevitable confrontation occurs before then. He really doesn't want to face that monster in the dark.

Fifteen minutes pass before he sees what he was both hoping for, and dreading.

"Stay here for a moment Champ. I jus' wanna check somethin' out."

Steve's steps stop as Charlie continues to follow.

"Seriously, this'll jus' take a sec."

Charlie shifts nervously from foot to foot. Seeing his agitation Steve pats his neck reassuringly. He smiles as he steps away.

"She'll be right."

Aware of the nervous horse behind him, Steve is careful not to show his own anxiety. He has no idea what he is about to face and he is completely unarmed. Scanning the ground as he walks , he searches for anything he can use as a weapon.

A stick... a rock... anything he can use to defend himself...

There's nothing. He's going to have to fight it barehanded!

He whistles softly to himself, doing his best to mask his trepidation as he approaches the enlarged section of the sunken roadway.

The submerged animal must have read the situation too.

The bubbles froth, and the water eddies as it suddenly surges forward. Charlie lets out an alarmed cry as a scaly snout breaches the surface ahead of Steve. A raised hand from Steve stops Charlie's charge.

"It's all good Champ. Just a fuckin' overgrown lizard."

Steve squares off against the huge reptile. It raises it's head and tastes the air with a flicker of a forked tongue. It can taste his fear, yet he doesn't run. It takes a couple of steps towards Steve. He plants his feet and raises his fists. While this is not how a hunt usually goes, instinct tells the lizard that it will end the same way it always does.

A full stomach.